Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

The future of ski retail chains in the UK [new Snow+Rock CEO appointed]

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
dobby, yes, of course people will buy boots from them. People can overcome any amount of pain for a bargain.
latest report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Mollerski wrote:
scaleyback wrote:


If you're in the south west Raoul at Sound Skis ...


Close, it's Ramon. wink


Embarassed lol, thanks, I knew it was Spanish-y Embarassed
ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
When I was little (very) and up to the age of 17/18 all the stuff I was wearing used to belong previously to some sons of my parents friends. I was lower-middle in the pecking order, then the gear was handed out to some cousins and other younger kids within the parents' friends circle. The only thing I managed to keep for years was a second hand pairs of ELAN skis, dark blue with yellow stripes with some pure classic steel LOOK bindings. They were originally bought at an independent shop named Poretta sports where I happened to buy my very first new pair of skis age 15 after much negototions and promises with and to the parents. I never let the ELAN go and I believe they are still in the garage... next to a MONTGRIVAL snowboard.
ski holidays
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
roga wrote:


BTW, I would have thought there'd be a decent demographic in Edinburgh actually but even that seems a bit close to high ground! Razz


There's an independent Scottish retailer called Blues who provide pretty high quality kit but not the most varied stock. They also have sales in summer where everything in the store is 50% off. They do take some things out the store though...
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
All my kit's been bought in the UK. I paid RRP for boots, but that included fitting with CEM. Everything else was bought in the sales at Slide n Glide, S&R, Ellis Brigham, Bartlets, Face West, Edge n Wax or at Jons Ski Tuning/The Piste Office.

.....oh, and a few bits off ebay.

In fact I've only ever bought abroad once I can remember; a pair of ex-rental skis in Utah.
ski holidays
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Well I was waiting to make sure the order worked out OK before naming the new to me cheap Czech source I'd found, but as the UPS man has just delivered my lovely new Armada TSTs Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy here they are http://sport-mall.co.uk/ or http://www.snowboard1.co.uk which are the English websites of http://www.snowboard1.cz/ (they seem to have a few localised versions of their site in most EU countries). Ordered last weekend, had confirmation of shipping on Tues and delivered today. As I said before I bought I checked them out on the Armada site and they are an official dealer, seem to dealers for most of the other big ski/board manufacturers as well. Given the service on this order the UK industry is going to have to try hard to keep me from using this Czech outfit again!
snow report
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Just bought Salomon boots from Decathlon,base layers etc too.
Was at EB in Milton Keynes last week and prices are ridiculous.
Have bought stuff in the Alps too before.
Do not tend to buy off Web as need to look at the goods generally.
Not surprised UK stores struggling as low volume market + high overheads = very high prices + no sales.
The difference in atmosphere and service in a UK ski shop to an Austrian one is huge !
Good places to buy I know are Duty Free Andorra and Vipiteno/Sterzing in Italy !!
Prices are amazing and they haggle even lower !
latest report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Visited S&R and EB today in Manchester... Loads of stock but not too many customers! EB looked to be doing zero business in all 3 stores but not prepared to discount! rolling eyes rolling eyes
snow report
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Might have to take Dion out for a beer and ask him what's what....!

Madeye-Smiley
ski holidays
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
2seasons is a good place to buy from at the end of the season. And if you are close to a 2 seasons that is closing down there are some fantastic bargains to be had. The shop in Leicester closed down and they were selling eveything off at half price. My brother-in-law bought some Salomon Enduro XT800's for £280 with the bindings. This really p....d me off cos I'd just bought some in the Ellis Brigham sale for £400
snow conditions
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Yeah agree, 2 seasons is a good outlet with good quality stuff,only limited stock tho' in our Coventry shop......
latest report
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Was in 2 seasons yesterday. Told that significant discounting on lots of stuff after Xmas.
snow conditions
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I find if your straight with retailers you can get a bargain.

I have great skis bought half price.
I told the chaps in EB that I wanted good trousers but was not bothered what. I got a pair of Norrona Lofoten for 100 pounds

I bought my giro g10 after visiting a shop in Edinburgh. I told them could buy online for 60pounds. They didn't match but I gave them the chance. So went online. They let me try it on because I was honest about it.

Blues are great in Glasgow. Bought my leki gloves full price. Bought top of the range salomon jacket 1/2 price.

I bought my boots from Rivington alpine. I could have got them cheaper in EB but I paid full price for the expert fitting.

My golden rule is good skis, God gloves,good boots fitted properly. But go for bargains elsewhere including TKMaxx
snow report
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Bode Swiller wrote:
fatbob, the big part of the market is clothing and accessories and they'll do killer deals on their own brand stuff like Nevica. I have no doubt that they'll buy up some other distressed brands and breathe new life into them. Gotta remember, most people are thinking price (not service) as long as the usual wind/waterproof/fit etc caveats apply. You've only got to read this thread and others like it to see how important TKMaxx, Lidll, Aldi etc are. They'll sell skis for sure and they'll be factory clear out models and they'll happily mail order them to the hapless. Boots, no idea, but for definite this will change the game on the high street (not this season though), it'll be like the rebirth of a C&A competitor for the specialists.


Be Factory Closeout skis eh!!!!!! I cant see Mr Ashley who owns a chunk of Amer Sports ( Atomic/ Salomon) sticking to purely closeout. Never the less I reckon the High end Market which I have worked in for 29 years will still have its "loyal followers" even if they do wait until the end of season sales or go for specialist advice then go off and buy on the cheapernet.
snow conditions
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
hedley wrote:
How do the ski shops in resorts survive nowadays?

S&R seem cheap in comparison to some Shocked

I've only ever purchased in resort when losing gloves etc or some emergency in resort.

I tend to buy recognised branded clothing in summer, get a few seasons out of them then sell now or before 1/2 term on eBay.

Top Brands like Arcteryx can be picked up 2nd hand on eBay for 1/3 of retail and are such good quality they look as new.


Similarly boutique brand skis are for those in the know but are harder to move on later than more recognised 'so called mass appeal' brands.


I can tell you shops in resorts are struggling, Ive had one for the past 6 years. Its ok for people to moan about the pricing, what they dont realise is that in France the trade prices are higher than here in the uk and the margins are crap compared to the uk, then you have to factor in higher wages, higher taxes and high sociale payments for employees apart from some brit cowboys who employ their staff in the uk and pay pitiful wages.
ski holidays
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I'm a bit out-of-the-picture with Snow+Rock, having triggered this thread.

Has Dion Taylor been replaced as CEO? If not, who's running the show?
latest report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
keithski wrote:

I can tell you shops in resorts are struggling, Ive had one for the past 6 years. Its ok for people to moan about the pricing, what they dont realise is that in France the trade prices are higher than here in the uk and the margins are crap compared to the uk, then you have to factor in higher wages, higher taxes and high sociale payments for employees apart from some brit cowboys who employ their staff in the uk and pay pitiful wages.


So it appears the only real way forward is get online, get slick and get scale. I guess Conrad and Decathlon lead the field with niche high service backed offerings.

I can see why resort shops are struggling - punters don't really care about your overhead and it's easy to see that paying RRP after Feb is a mug's game unless it's a convenience replacement or forgotten item. I've always been astounded at the lack of end of season aggressive discounting going on in many alpine stores - seems they'd rather have dusty stock sitting around at 20-25% off rather than cutting the losses at 40-50% discount and improve the cash (plus not have it in the way for next season).
snow conditions
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Got my skis in a sale at Ellis Brigham (a really good deal, and when the price went down even further, they refunded me the difference). Boots and jacket were from Filarinskis, because obviously they have to be tried on. Trousers were in a sale online, and all my base layers/gloves/socks/goggles/neckwarmers are bought cheaply online.

The prices are outrageous in S+R, I'd never spend £1,200 on a Kjus jacket!

Having said that, I did buy my helmet from Snow and Rock in Port Solent, because I have a really small head and needed to try loads on to find one that fitted! I also gritted my teeth and bought some Skins leggings - which are brilliant. I couldn't find them anywhere cheaper online.
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
I bought my Ski Boots at Snow and Rock and was very impressed with the knowledge of the fitter (used the one by London Bridge) so I would use them again based on that experience. Up until now I had always used rental boots and associated skiing with something fun that caused extreme pain in my feet and legs. I was shocked they were able to fit boots to the shape of my feet which are actually so comfortable I don't want to take them off at the end of a days skiing!
ski holidays
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Went into S&R in Bristol to have a look around and to discuss bike tyres. None of the staff gave a monkey's. Staff just chatted to one another or to their mates on the phone. Not impressed.
snow conditions
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Hamish Mansbridge is acting CEO
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
dsoutar,
Quote:

Hamish Mansbridge

What a name!!!
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I bought new boots in resort a few weeks back. In my area there is only Decathlon, which is great for ski clothing (bought all mine there) but very limited for equipment. In resort there is far more choice and people who actually know what they are talking about, plenty of good discounts around too.
ski holidays
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
queen bodecia, Very true, I had a British retailer insist on speaking to me recently, he asked, "how can I be sure you know how to fit boots?" I was like" We'll given what I have here in my hands, you clearly can't, how can I be sure you have ever been skiing?"
snow conditions
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
have a friend who runs an independent ski/saddler y shop here in the Teesside area, get what I can from him clothing wise. he has good equipment at good prices, some mainstream some not.

S&R and EB both have shops within driving distance but I refuse to pay there prices any more, Ive had to in the past as my Mrs is petite and ski clothing is very difficult to get for her.

have made some purchases ant Taccky Maxx (ski socks/gloves) saw a Rossignol jacket in mine a few weeks ago, would have brought iot but I done need a new jacket
latest report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
A new CEO for Snow+Rock ... [it may be necessary to scroll this page for the story] ...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/325182624251298/
snow report



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy